A cross-section of articles we've read this week about HIV/AIDS, STIs and a wide cross-section of structural and systemic factors impacting HIV/AIDS in Black communities.

MSM

Condomless Hookups and the Political, Emotional Resistance of Black Gay Men 

As someone who finds himself very invested in seeing the eradication of HIV, it would seem contradictory for me to participate in condomless sex. Yet, I have done it. Although I do not advocate for everyone to go about having condomless sex, I do think it is a point of interest for us, as black gay men, to examine why studyafterstudy continues to demonstrate that we are ineffectively using condoms. And that part of that reason is because of physical pleasure.

Science

Scientists Unveil Structure, Dynamics of Key HIV Molecules: Findings Could Aid Design of HIV Vaccines, Treatments 

New research has illuminated the movement and complete structure of the spikes on HIV that the virus uses to bind to the cells it infects. This research, led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Weill Cornell Medical College and Yale University School of Medicine, could help advance efforts to develop HIV vaccines and treatments.

Miscellaneous

Advocates Criticize Plans to Restrict N.Y. Hepatitis C Drugs 

The National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP) and others have sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) and Howard A. Zucker, MD, of the New York State Department of Health, urging them to reconsider plans to restrict access to new hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatments, according to a NATAP press release.

Ebola and HIV/AIDS: Similarities and Differences 

A strong parallel between HIV and Ebola was drawn by Tom Frieden, M.D., director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at an annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.

GOP Governor: Obamacare Has Made 'Real Improvements in People's Lives' 

Once in a great while, a politician will slip and accidentally tell the truth. Take Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), for example, who inadvertently praised the Affordable Care Act.

Living Life to the Fullest With HIV at 61 and Beyond 

In 1991 I was told that I was HIV+ and I had two years to live. Twenty three years later I'm 61, living alone (my partner of 25 years passed six years ago), lonely and not living in the neighborhood I once lived in. What keeps me going? I'm a Peer Educator, activist and occasionally work as a consultant. My down time is spent with my three daughters, a few childhood friends and my brother and his family on Long Island.

NMAC Partners With Gay App Scruff to Promote HIV Awareness 

The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) has teamed up with gay social networking app Scruff to promote HIV education and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), according to a press release from NMAC and Scruff. For the yearlong partnership, Scruff is donating a portion of its advertising platform to NMAC.

Repeating the Mistakes of the AIDS Epidemic with Ebola 

We must pay attention to the mistakes of history, some wise person once said, so we can do a better job of making them in the future. That's how I feel during the current Ebola crisis when I see how well we Americans seem to be repeating the mistakes of the AIDS epidemic.

Victor Mooney is Fighting Off Fatigue, Hunger and Sharks as He Rows Across the Atlantic Ocean to Raise Awareness of HIV/AIDS 

The 48-year-old Queens man is close to reaching his ambitious goal of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and urging people to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

ViiV Program Announces New Grants to Fight HIV in the South 

ViiV Healthcare has awarded seven grants to organizations in the South that focus on reducing HIV disparities regarding prevention, treatment adherence and linkage to care. According to a ViiV press release, the grants are part of ViiV's community-focused Positive Action Southern Initiative.